Clip fastener



pr 7, 1 G. A. TINNERMAN 2,317,561

CLIP FASTENER Original Filed April 16, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l EEDREEA.T/NNERMAN KMW . April 27, 1943. G. A. TINNERMAN 2,317,561

CLIP FASTENER Original Filed April 16, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEDREEA.T/NNERMAN W ZM Patented Apr. 2?, 1943 George A. Tinnerman, (Cleveland,@hio, asslgnor to Tinnerman Products, line, Gleveland, @hio, acorporation oi @hio Griginal application April id, 1940, Serial No. r329,956, now Patent lilon 2,247,935, dated lluly 11, 194i. Divided andthis application Ill/lay 22, 1941, Serial No. 394,711

11 Cls.

This invention relates in general to improvements in clip fastenedinstallations and deals with an improved form of clip fastener adaptedfor a number of applications and uses in the securing of cooperatingparts of various installations or for attaching an object or article ofmanufacture to a structural part such as a panel member, or the like.The present application is a division of my U. S. Patent No. carvers, ofgig; 1, 1941, on an application filed April 16,

More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improvedfastening arrangement in which the part to which the clip is applied forsecuring purposes is necessarily or desirably provided with connectingstud means in. the vform of an elongated'rib, or the like, or one ormore equivalent rib sections defining generally flat connecting stems orsimilar connecting stud elements. It will be understood that the variousfastening installations embodying the improved clip fastener of thepresent invention are of general utility and have a wide range andvariety of uses in that practically any part to be secured whetherplastic, metal, wood or composition material, may be expedientlyprovided with a suitable form of such connecting stud means, andparticularly in the manner of a connecting rib or equivalent ribsection, flat stem, or the like.

In this respect, in addition to numerous advantages in manufacture andhandling, a most important problem is solved in the provision of certainwidely used types of molded plastic parts with means for securing thesame in an installation while also producing such plastic parts withoutmold imperfections such as shrinkage marks, porous rough spots, gascavities, etc. For example, many parts constructed of plastic materialare of such form as to embody considerable width and length and yet arelatively thin thickness. In the molding of such a plastic part,therefore, only a certain size connecting stud means will besatisfactory since if the connecting stud is of a thickness or diametergreater than the adjacent thickness of the plastic part, generallyspeaking, the plastic material frequently will not flow properly to formthe connecting stud with the result that such stud will be'only partlyformed, and fragile or otherwise imperfect to the extent the entiremolded plastic part is useless inasmuch as it cannot be fastenedproperly in the manner intended. Furthermore, when such a molded plasticpart of relatively thin thickness is cooled to hardened form, if thestud is of greater diameter than such thickness,

(Cl. M tt) a shrinkage takes place in the area of the stud itselfcausing the adjacent material of the plastic part to contract and forman objectionable dimple on the exposed finish surface thereof.

It has been found that any such mold imperfections may be avoided andthe connecting stud means on a plastic part otherwise satisfactorilyprovided so long as the diameter or thiclmess thereof is less or notmaterially greater than that of the thickness of the adjacent area ofthe plastic part itself. This, of course, often requires that theconnecting stud means he of very thin cross-section and in order toadapt the same for ing rib or the like may be provided by a simpletongue element which is struck out therefrom, welded, riveted orotherwise secured thereto in any suitable manner.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide variousfastening installations erabodying a part having connecting stud meansof such character together with an improved form of clip fastener whichis simple, inexpensive and particularly adapted for easy and quickapplication to secure such an installation in a most practical andefiective manner.

Another principal object of the invention is for the provision of a clipfastener comprising cooperating securing elements providing a springgripping action with such connecting stud means in a. manner to engagethe same on opposite race portions thereof to effect a reliablefastening installation in which the parts secured are not subject toloosening or displacement even under extreme conditions of shock,vibratory motion, jarring effects and the like.

A more specific object of the invention con templates the provision ofsuch a clip fastener comprising securing elements engaging the oppositefaces of such connecting stud means in the form of .a rib, or the like,by substantial spring gripping action at a plurality of spaced pointsand further, with such securing elements including an improved, highlyeffective form of anchoring means of relatively simple constructionmalling for economy in the manufacture of such clips and speed andfacility in the application which together present a or the like towhich the clip is applied, Fig. 11 beand general use thereof in a widerange and variety of installations. I

A further object of the invention is for the provision of such clipfasteners in the manner of simple, one-piece, sheet metal devices whichare cheap and inexpensive to provide and lend themselves to economicalquantity production in that they may be produced at relatively low costfrom ordinary sheet metal strip stock, for example, with little loss orwaste of material.

Further objects and advantages and'other new and useful features, in theconstruction, arrangement and general combination of parts of theinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art as adescription thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, in whichlike reference characters designate like parts throughout the same, andin which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view looking from the underside of aninstallation embodying a part,

provided with a connecting rib assembled in a slot in a cooperating partand showing a clip fastener in position to be applied thereto to securesuch parts;

Fig. 2 is a perspective on an enlarged scale of the clip fastener per seshowing the detailed construction thereof;

Fig. 3 illustrates the blank outline or strip section from which theclip fastener is constructed;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a completed fastener showing the blank of Fig. 3as foreshortened to provide the spaced, generally U-shaped securingelements thereof;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the completed fastener showing oneform of anchoring means and cam guide surfaces provided on the spacedinner edge portions of the securing elements thereof;

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the clip in apmodified to mount acooperating panel member or the like on the supporting part I Fig. is aplan view showing another form of the clip fastener as provided withwing portions straddling a recess in a part to which a cooperatl5 ingpart is secured by a connecting rib element or the like similar to theinstallation of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 21 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 20 taken on line 2l-2|looking in the direction of 20 the arrows.

Referring now, more particularly, to Figs, 1-8 inclusive of thedrawings, one form of installation embodying the improved clip fastenerof the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein a part P isprovided with a suitable connecting stud means in the form of a rib orrib section I and which in the case of a molded plastic part, forexample, is integrally provided on the rearward face of such plasticpart. As previously pointed out, to avoid possible imperfections such asthose due to shrinkage in the area of a relatively thin portion of anysuch plastic part incident to the molding thereof, said connecting studmeans is preferably provided in the manner of a thin rib or flangeelement of any desired or suitable length to provide the requiredstrength therein; of course, a rib of continuous length is desirable'whenever possible to provide for maximum strength in addition to theadvantageous reinforcing qualities supplied thereby plied fasteningposition securing'the parts of the installation shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 6 showing the clipinside elevation; and,

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of Figs. 6 and '7 showing theposition of the securing elements of the clip as applied to theconnecting rib element to secure the installation.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a further embodiment of theinvention in which there is employed generally flat connecting stud orrib sections to which the clip fastener is applied; an

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 9.

Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive show another form of the invention wherein thecooperating secured parts include complementary flange portionsconnecting rib element gig a vertical sectional view of such aninstalla- Fig. 12 is a plan view of Fig, 11 showing the clip as appliedto straddle the complementary rib portions of such cooperating parts;and,

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a perspective showing the manner of application of the clipfastener to a pocketed connecting rib element provided in a supportingpart to which a cooperating part is to be secured, or on which an objector article is to be mounted;

. Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing an apertured.

panel member, or the like, secured by the clip fastener applied to such.a pocketed connecting rib element provided in a supporting 'part;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of Fig. 15; and.

to any plastic part, and particularly in rigiditying the outer surfaceof a relatively thin part to minimize the possibility of accidentalcracking or breaking thereof.

The cooperating supporting part A of any suitable material comprises apanel or plate-like portion which is prepared with an area for attachingthe part P thereto, such area consisting of an elongated slot 2 or thelike including one or more enlarged recesses 3 of any suitable outline,preferably round, inasmuch as such openings are the easiest to providein the molding of a plastic part or by punching or drilling any part tobe secured. Said recesses 3 are preferably provided 'in part A in apredetermined spaced relation longitudinally of said slot 2 along thegeneral path which the part P extends in assembled relation therewith asshown in Fig. 1, wherein the connecting rib I is received in saidelongated slot 2 and substantially bisects the adjacent enlargedrecesses 3 thereof. In this relation, the part P is firmly seatedagainst the cooperating part A and these members arethereupon adaptedreadily to be secured by a preferred form of clip fastener, designatedgenerally l0, Fig. 1, having spaced securing elements which are receivedin the recess 3 from the adjgcent or rearward side of part A to grip theintermediate portion of rib l on its opposite faces in securing relationwith part P. A head or base defined by one or both end portions of theclip bridges the slot 2 and bears upon the adjacent face of part A tofasten part P thereto in the applied fastening positionof the clip tocomplete the installation, as hereinafter more fully forth.

The preferred form of clip fastener, as best seen in Fig. 2, isa simple,very inexpensive article to manufacture inasmuch as it requires fewpunching and forming operations and may be provided from a relativelysmall section of any suitable sheet metal, preferably spring metal suchas spring steel or cold rolled steel. The clip, of course, may be formedfrom sheet metal sections of various outlines, but from a quantityproduction standpoint, is most advantageously provided from acomparatively small, generally rectangular blank obtained from ordinarysheet metal strip stock with very little loss or waste of material. Fig.3 shows such a blank or stamping as provided with a preferred form ofpunched opening or cutout area presenting spaced longitudinal sidesections ii, 92, and end sections i3,

set

it. The blank isbent into the general configuration shown in Fig. 2 in amanner whereby said side sections i, i2, define generally U-shapedsecuring elements or spring arms provided with the end sections 63, I 4,either or both of which serve as the head or base portion of the clip.The cutout area of the blank shown in Fig. 3 has preferably a generallydiamond shaped outline defining angul arly disposed edges i5 and ill onthe side sections I! and I2, respectively. The diamond shaped cutoutincludes enlarged generally D-shaped openings at the approximate cor;ners thereof providing the desired form of shoulders ll, ii], on theopposing inner edges iof said side sections Ii, l2, respectively, andextending the end walls of the cutout opening into the areas of therespective base sections I3. M.

When the blank thus provided .is bent substantially as indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 3, said side sections are formed into intermediatebent portions defining the spaced, generally U- shaped securing elementsor bent spring arms I I. I2, of the completed clip, Fig. 2, with saidend sections providing the head or base portions I3, it extending fromsuch securing elements in any suitable manner. as in generally oppositedirections. If desired, either or both of such sections l3, I l may beof such length and size as to be shaped into means for holding anarticle such as a rod, cable or other object. The blank area is thusforeshortened to the size shown in Fig. 4 and, in this relation, viewingthe completed clip in end elevation as in Fig. 5, the opposing inneredges 55, it of said side sections lI, I2 of the blank, as bent todefine said U-shaped securing elements or spring arms, present inclinedcam or guide surfaces which are preferably designed to appear in themanner of an inverted substantial V-shape tapering outwardly in thedirection opposite the head or-base of the clip defined by the endsections l3, it.

Also in this bent confi uration of the side sections 5 I, it to providethe spaced generally U- shaped securing elements or bent spring arms,the shoulders 51, I8, Fig. 5. define anchoring means on the opposinginner edge portions thereof in the form of substantial teeth suitab yspaced from the base portions I3, I4, of the clip in the approximateareaof the apex of said V-shaped cam or guide surfaces I5, I6. Saidteeth I'I. I8, thus provided, are rigidly disposed on the inner edgeportions of the U-shaped securing elements II, I2, and present smallpointed edges adapted to engage opposite faces of a connect ng rib, studor the like applied therebetween. The gen erally U-shaped securingelements or spring arms ii, I2 of the completed clip are adapted to flexor yield edgewise under force by reason of the cutout or openingtherebetween and thus have a resilient spring'gripping action which isof exceptional intensity due to the bent configuration of said securingelements. Accordingly, under the force of such resilient spring grippingaction of the securing elements II, M, the teeth I1, i8, on the inneredge portions thereof are adapted for a pronounced biting action undertension on opposite faces of a connecting rib elemet or the like appliedin the space between the inner edges 55, it thereof, it beingunderstood, of course, that the thickness of said rib element or thelike is at least slightly greater than the space between such teeth ll,I8, in the normal untensioned relation of the securing elements Ii,l2.of the completed clip as shown in Fig. 5

Such biting engagement of the teeth Il, i8, of course, provides a rigid,positive locking action in fastening position in a manner whereby theclip cannot become dislodged or even readily removed. In the event areadily removable arrangement for the clip is desired, the elementsdefining the teeth 67 are provided in the manner of blunt shouldershaving a substantial sliding action with the surfaces engaged therebyand thus permitting the clip to be readily withdrawn while at the sametime providing a firm, rigid securing action in fastening position byreason of the resilient spring gripping qualities of the U- shapedsecunng elements or bent spring arms With the clip providedsubstantially as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, it will be understood onreferring to the installation of Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8.

that the clip is applied to the enlarged recess 3 teeth ll, i8 engagingon opposite faces of the connecting rib i at points removed from thefree end thereof. As stated, the spacing of said teeth in the normaluntensioned relation of the clip, is at least slightly less than thethickness of the rib portion engaged thereby while the adjoining edgesit, I '5; Fig. 5, taper outwardly therefrom in presenting a somewhatwider space between the inner edges of the securing elements II, I2, atthe leading portions thereof. Accordingly, the associated connecting ribportion is easily and quickly received in the space between the inneredge portions of said securing elements H, I2 in the initial step ofapplying the clip to fastening position, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and bythe dotted line showing in Fig. 7.

Thus, the clip is applied into the recess 3 with the U-shaped securingelements or spring arms iI, l2, straddling the adjacent rib portion I insuch recess, and, as the clip is pushed toward fastening position, theinclined cam or guide surfaces i5, I6, on the opposing inner edges ofthe U-shaped securing elements II, I2, cause a gradual spreading of saidsecuring elements in a manner whereby the teeth l1, iii arereadilyveased over the free end of the rib I, to engage the'same onopposite faces at points removed from such free end in the final appliedfasten ng position of the clip, substantially as shown in Fig. 8. Thehead or base portions I3, I4 of the clip thus bridge .theslot 2, Fig. 6,and bear upon the adjacent rearward face of part A to hold the clip insuch fastening position securing the part P thereto in the completedinstallation. In this relation, the said teeth II, I8 automaticallyprovide a pronounced positive locking biting action by digging into andbecoming embedded in the opposite faces of the connecting rib as shownin Fig. 8 due to the exceptional spring gripping action of the U- shapedsecuring elements or' bent spring arms I I, I2 which operate in themanner of resilient jaws, forcing said teeth at all times to tenaciouslyresist any movement or displacement of the clip from its proper and mosteffective final applied fastening position. As illustrated in Fig. 7,the clip is advantageously concealed in the completed installationinasmuch as there is exposed only the head or base portions thereoflying substantially flush with the adjacent face of part A securedthereby. If added resilience is desired in the securing action of theclip, said base sections I3, I4, thereof may be bent slightly inwardlytoward the securing elements II, I2 in the untensioned configuration -ofthe clip, as illustrated by the dotted line showing of Fig. '7, in whichinstance such base sections engage the adjacent face of part A withincreased resilience to serve as yieldable take-up means in a mannerwhereby the juxtaposed parts are secured under continuously effectivespring tension and any looseness therebetween is automaticallyeliminated.

Figs. 9 and 10 disclose a related form of installation in which th partP is provided with connecting stud means in the form of one or moresubstantially flat stem or rib elements receivable in a simple form ofrecess 5, in the cooperating part B from on side thereof with thegeneral form of clip fastener I II applied to the free end of such ribelement from the opposite side of said part B. It will be understoodthat such recess 8 may be of any selected outline so long it is of asize suitable for receiving the securing elements or bent spring arms II, I 2 of the clip. The recess is most expediently provided in themanner of a generally round opening, as seen in Fig. 10,

whereupon a clip similar in structure, operation and use to thatdescribed with reference to Figs. 1-8 inclusive is applied to theconnecting rib element 5 to secure part!" to cooperating part B in acompleted installation, substantially in the manner aforesaid.

Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive show another form of the invention in which thcooperating secured parts, C, C, include complementary flange portions20, 2I, respectively, which when assembled in substantially abuttingrelation, as best seen in Fig. 13, together form a connecting ribelement or the like for securing such parts in a completed installation.The clip structure itself is of the same general character as thatdescribed in detail with reference to. Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive with thegenerally U-shaped securing elements or bent sprin arms II, I2, thereofapplied to the assembled rib portions 20, 2| in straddling relation in amanner .whereby the anchoring means such as teeth II,

ll, carried thereby engage opposite faces of the rib element defined bysaid rib portions 20, 2|.

The head portions I3, I4 of the clip preferably are designed to bearupon the adjacent free'ends of said rib portions 20, 2|, to rigidify theclip in applied fastening position and thereby add to the effectivenessof the securing action thereof.

Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive are directed to further embodiments of theinvention wherein the connecting stud means to which the clip is appliedis or the like. Such a rib element is relatively simple in form andreadily provided in the molding of a plastic part or by expedient spacedmill- 25 is disposed may be provided in any selected form, of course, solong as the side walls thereof have a suitabl spacing for receiving thecombined width of the generally U-shaped securing elements II, I2, ofthe clip with the inner edge portions of such securing elements engagingsaid rib element 25 on its opposite feces substantially as shown in Fig.17.

In Figs. 15 to 17 inclusiv such a pocketed rib element is shown employedas the means by which a panel or like member F, provided with anaperture 21 is secured to said part D. The aperture 21 in part F need beonly of such size as to pass the securing elements II, I2 of the clipwith the base or head portions I3, I I, thereof bearing on the adjacentsurface of said part F, whereupon said securing elements II, I2 of theclip are applied in a manner whereby the anchoring means thereon such asteeth IT, IS, engage op site faces of the pocketed rib element 25 insecuring.

the parts of the completed installation, substantially as in thepreviously described forms of theinvention.

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate modifications in which a pocketed rib element25 provided in such part D is employed with modified forms of clipshaving spring'afni xtensionswhich are formed on either provided in thenature of a pocketed rib element or both of the head or base portionsI3, ll, of the clip to serve as articleholding means. Thus, in Fig. 18the base portion I3 of the clip is shown provided with a spring armextension 3| for holding a rod, wire, cable, tube or like element in acompact, highly satisfactory securing arrange- 'ment which finds a wideand extended use in various installations such as in radio cabinets,

for example, in which it is necessary or desirable that the securingmeans of the clip be more or less concealed and take up only a minimumof I space, especially where clos quarters are encountered.

Likewise, in Fig. 19 there is shown provided a similar pocketedconnecting rib 25 on part D, which represents a portion of a panelbordering an opening over which it is desired to mount a cooperatingpanel member such as glass section G serving as the covering for a dialpanel in a radio cabinet or automobil or aeroplane dashboard, forexample. The head portion I l of the clip in this instance includes aspring arm extension 32 designed to engage the adjacent rearward face ofsaid panel G in the applied fastening position of the clip with thegenerally, U-shaped securing elements I I, I2 thereof received in thepocket 26 and engaging the connecting rib element 25 on its oppositefaces, substantially in the manner aforesaid.

Figs. 20 and 21 show a further embodiment of the invention in which thehead portions I3, I4 of a modified form of clip are provided withlateral wing elements 35, 36, respectively. A clip of this character isparticularly suited for use in an installation wherein a part P similarto that in Fig. 1 is provided with a connecting rib element l forsecuring the same to a cooperating part H having a simple form of slot3'! of substantially uniform width throughout its length. Such a slot iscapable of receiving at any point the hump portion of the clip definedby the U-shaped securing elements 3!, l2, thereof in applied fasteningposition, whereupon the said wing portions 35, 36 bridg the slot 3'! inpart H in bearing upon the adjacent surface thereof in any lengthwiseposition in which the securing elements ii, is of the clip are appliedto engage the rib on part P in securing the same to said part H. A clipof this character not only makes possible the provision of a simple formof elongated slot of uniform width in supporting part H, but alsoprovides a slidable connection of the secured parts which is mostadvantageous in certain installations in which adjustment thereof wouldbe necessary or desirable. The clip otherwise embodies generallyU-shaped securing elements or spring arms ii, i2, provided similar tothe clip structure described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 8inclusive and adapted for application and use in substantially the samemanner.

While the invention has been described in detail with specific examples,such examples are intended as illustrations only, since it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications in theconstruction, arrangement and general combination of parts thereof maybe devised without-departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, with all changes falling within the scope, meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body having a cutout areadefining means including spaced longitudinal sections bordering saidoutout area, said longitudinal sections having bent portionsintermediate their lengths defining generally U-shaped spring arms inspaced edge to edge relation and adapted for edgewise expansion, saidsections being provided with teeth for gripping an article in the spacetherebetween, said sheet metal body having extensions beyond the armsadapted to engage a part or object to which the article is to besecured.

2. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body having a base portion and apair of spaced securing elements extending in the same genera directionto one side of said base portion, said securing elements having theirinner edges in spaced edge to edge relation and being adapted foredgewise expansion in receiving an article between said spaced inneredges, and article gripping means defined by said spaced inner edgesin-' comprising cooperating shoulders or the like on each of said edges.I i

4. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body having a base portion and apair of spaced securing elements extending in the same general directionto one side of said base portion, said securing elements having theirinner edges in spaced edge to edge relation and being adapted foredgewise expansion in receiving an article between said spaced inneredges, article gripping means defined by said spaced inner edges, and aninclined portion formed on one of said edges providing a. spacedivergent outwardly from the base for readily receiving said article.

5. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body having a base portion and apair of spaced securing elements extending in the same general directionto one side of said base portion, said securing elements having theirinner edges in spaced edge to edge relation and being adapted foredgewise expansion in receiving anarticle between said spaced inneredges, article gripping means defined by said spaced inner edgescomprising shoulders or the like, and guide portions on said edgesadjacent said shoulders extending outwardly from said shoulders forreadily receiving said article in the space therebetween.

6. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body providing a pair of spacedsecuring elements and a base' defined by a base portion connecting saidsecuring elements at either end thereof, said spaced securing elementsincluding generally U- shaped sections extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base, said generally U-shaped sectionshaving their inner edges in spaced edge to edge relation and beingadapted for edgewise expansion in receiving an article between saidinner edges, said sections being provided with teeth for gripping an.article in the space between the sections. 7.

7. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body providing a pair of spacedsecuring elements and a base defined by a base portion connecting saidsecuring elements at either end thereof, said spaced securing elementsincluding generally U shaped sections extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base, said generally U-shaped sectionshaving their inner edges in spaced edge to edge relation and beingadapted for edgewise expansion in receiving an article between saidinner edges, and article gripping means defined by said spaced inneredges including a shoulder or the like on one of said edges adapted foranchoring engagement with said article.

8. A fastener comprising a sheet metal body providing a pair of spacedsecuring elements and a base defined by a base portion connecting saidsecuring elements at either end thereof, said spaced securing elementsincluding generally U- sh'aped sections extending in the same generalproviding a pair of spaced securing elements and a base defined by abase portion connecting said securing elements at either end thereof,said spaced securing elements including generally U- shaped sectionsextending in the same general direction to one side of said base, saidgenerally U-shaped sections having their inner edges in spaced edge toedge relationand being adapted for edgewise expansion in receiving anarticle between said inner edges, article gripping means defined by saidspaced inner edges comprising anchoring teeth or the like, and guideportions on said edges inclined outwardly from each other away from saidteeth for readily receiving said ed to be forced apart whereby they maygrip said article in such securing position. i-

11. A fastener 01' a single piece of sheet material presenting a bodyproviding a pair'ot spaced securing elements, the body portioncomprising two separated base portions connected by said securingelements at the two ends of the latter respectively, said spacedsecuring elements comprising generally U-shaped sections extending inthe same general direction to one side oi said body portion, saidgenerally U-shaped sections having their inner edges in spaced edge toedge relation and being adapted for edgewise expansion in receiving anarticle between said inner edges, article gripping means defined by saidinner edges, one of which has a. gripping shoulder. and an inclinedportion formed on one of said edges providing an outward divergence tothe space between said inner edges for readily receiving said article.

GEORGE A. 'I'INNERMAN;

